Chilling Tolerance Improving of Watermelon Seedling by Salicylic Acid Seed and Foliar Application

Authors

  • Mohammad SAYYARI Ilam University, College of Agriculture, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Ilam (IR)
  • Fardin GHANBARI Ilam University, College of Agriculture, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Ilam (IR)
  • Sajad FATAHI Ilam University, College of Agriculture, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Ilam (IR)
  • Fatemeh BAVANDPOUR Ilam University, College of Agriculture, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Ilam (IR)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb518293

Keywords:

chilling index; cold stress; electrolyte leakage; growth parameters; proline content

Abstract

Chilling temperatures lead to numerous physiological disturbances in the cells of chilling-sensitive plants and result in chilling injury and death of tropical and subtropical plants such as watermelon. In this study, the possibility of cold stress tolerance enhancing of watermelon seedling (Citrullus lanatus) by exogenous application of Salicylic acid (SA) was investigated. SA was applied through seed soaking or foliar spray at 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM concentration. After SA treatment, the seedlings were subjected to chilling 5 h/day at 4°C for 5 days. Statistical analysis showed significant effects of the application methods and SA concentrations on plant growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, proline and chilling injury index. SA application improved growth parameters and increased chlorophyll content of watermelon seedling subjected to chilling stress and provided significant protection against chilling stress compared to non-SA-treated seedlings. Although two SA application methods improved chilling stress tolerance, seed soaking method provided better protection compared to foliar spray method. SA ameliorated the injury caused by chilling stress via inhibiting proline accumulation and leaf electrolyte leakage. The highest cold tolerance was obtained with 0.5 mM SA application. Results indicate that SA could be used effectively to protect watermelon seedling from damaging effects of chilling stress at the early stages of growth.

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Published

2013-02-23

How to Cite

SAYYARI, M., GHANBARI, F., FATAHI, S., & BAVANDPOUR, F. (2013). Chilling Tolerance Improving of Watermelon Seedling by Salicylic Acid Seed and Foliar Application. Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 5(1), 67–73. https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb518293

Issue

Section

Research articles
CITATION
DOI: 10.15835/nsb518293